Package for Multiple Media Discs

ABSTRACT

A media disc package includes a plurality of disc holding trays arranged in a stack, each tray in the stack having at least one hinging edge, each hinging edge having at least one docking appendage extending therefrom. A binding clip includes a plurality of segments that are connected to each other by flexible links, each segment including at least one dock therein for receiving a docking appendage. Adjacent trays in the stack are hinged together by seating one or more respective docking appendages of each adjacent tray into a correspondingly positioned dock in the binding clip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/566,221, filed on Apr. 28, 2004, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in the field of packaginggoods for retail sale, and more specifically to an improved package formultiple media discs.

2. Description of Prior Art

With the proliferation of CDs, DVDs, and other types of media discs,there is an ongoing need for disc holders that allow a plurality ofdiscs to be packaged and stored in sets. Ideally, a disc holder shouldcombine esthetical appeal and resistance to damage, while providing auser with easy access to individual discs in the set. In addition, froma manufacturer's point of view, it is desirable for a disc holder to berelatively inexpensive to produce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other issues are addressed by aspects of the presentinvention. A media disc package according to a first aspect of theinvention includes a plurality of disc holding trays arranged in astack, each tray in the stack having at least one hinging edge, eachhinging edge having at least one docking appendage extending therefrom.A binding clip includes a plurality of segments that are connected toeach other by flexible links, each segment including at least one docktherein for receiving a docking appendage. Adjacent trays in the stackare hinged together by seating one or more respective docking appendagesof each adjacent tray into a correspondingly positioned dock in thebinding clip. A further aspect of the invention provides an improvedcover for use with a stack of media disc trays.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent by reference to the following detailed description andaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a package according to the prior artfor holding multiple media discs.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a package according to a first aspectof the present invention for holding multiple media discs.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the package shown in FIG. 2, in whichindividual trays in the package have been fanned into an openconfiguration.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a portion of the package shown in FIGS.3 and 4, illustrating an improved hinge-binding system, including abinding clip and docking appendages, according to a further aspect ofthe invention.

FIG. 5 shows an elevation view of the binding clip shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows an elevation view of a portion of the package shown in FIG.2 in an open configuration, illustrating a nesting feature according toa further aspect of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of a package according to a furtheraspect of the invention, in which a plurality of binding clips is usedto hinge a stack of media disc trays at a plurality of sides.

FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a package according to a furtheraspect of the invention, in which the package includes double-sidedmedia disc trays.

FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of a portion of a package according to afurther aspect of the invention, in which a hinged stack of media disctrays is mounted into an improved cover.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show respective side views of the package shown inFIG. 9 in closed and open configurations.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show respective side views of a media disc package,according to a further aspect of the invention, in closed and openconfigurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the terms “media disc” and “disc” refer generally tocompact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), and the like. Theterms “media disc tray,” “disc tray,” and “tray” refer generally totrays for holding media discs, such trays typically being rigid andincluding at least one cavity therein for receiving at least one mediadisc, the cavity including a central hub or rosette for engaging acentral spindle hole in a media disc. However, it is not intended tolimit the scope of the present invention to a particular type or shapeof media disc or media disc tray. Also, as discussed below, the term“stack” of media disc trays may refer, where applicable, to a singlemedia disc tray.

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a prior art media disc tray holdingdevice 10, in a fanned-open position. The holding device 10 includes astack of media disc trays 12, which have been hinged together and boundwithin a cover 14. The cover 14 includes a spine 16 which is the widthof the stack of trays 12. The bottom tray in the stack of trays isattached to the inside of the cover 14. The trays in the stack arehinged to each other by a thin, flexible hinging member that is attachedto one side of the stack.

Each tray 12 in the stack includes a media disc cavity 20 for receivingand storing a media disc in cooperation with a securing hub 22.Indentations 24 are provided to assist a user in unseating a media discfrom a tray. A display space 26 proximate to a stored media discprovides a means for presenting information regarding the media disc.Typically, the underside of the cavity 20 forms a pan 28 that faces anadjacent media disc when the trays are stacked, thereby providing anadditional restraint for the adjacent media disc.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an improved Content Collection, Storage, andPresentation Apparatus (CCSPA) 100 according to a first aspect of thepresent invention. The CCSPA 100 includes, but is not limited to, animproved media disc tray 102 and improved hinge-binding system 104. FIG.2 shows the CCSPA 100 in a closed configuration, wherein each tray 102is in contact with an adjacent tray or trays. In this embodiment andconfiguration, the four sides of the trays 102 form four substantiallyplanar side surfaces, and the respective corners of the trays 102 arealigned. FIG. 3 shows the CCSPA 100 in an open configuration, whereineach tray 102 is fanned apart from the adjacent tray(s). It will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that the closed and openconfigurations illustrated herein are merely two in a spectrum ofconfigurations; accordingly, the configurations shown in FIGS. 2 and 3are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention. Likewise, the perimeter shape of the trays 102 illustratedherein is merely one in a spectrum of design choices, and it is notintended to limit the scope of the invention to a particular perimetershape.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of an improved hinge-binding system 104according to a further aspect of the present invention. Thehinge-binding system 104 includes a plurality of docking appendages 110extending outwardly from the trays 102 in the stack, and a binding clip112. Generally speaking, at least one docking appendage 110 extendsoutwardly from each tray 102 and is seated in a correspondinglypositioned receiving dock in the binding clip 112.

More specifically, and with reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, each dockingappendage 110 is attached to or integrally formed with a tray 102, andextends outwardly from a hinging edge of the tray 102. A tray 102 mayhave more than one hinge edge, each hinge edge having respective dockingappendages extending therefrom. The binding clip 112 comprises aplurality of segments 114 connected by flexible links 116. Each segment114 further comprises an appendage receiving dock 118. In operation, adocking appendage 110 is mounted to the binding clip 112 by being seatedin a correspondingly positioned receiving dock 118 in the binding clip112.

It is contemplated that the hinge-binding system 104 may provide forpermanent or temporary connections between a docking appendage 110 and acorresponding receiving dock 118, and that the binding clip 112 mayprovide a range of flexibility. Thus the docking appendage 110 andbinding clip 112 may be configured or manufactured according to a rangeof optional design requirements without departing from the spirit of theinvention. By way of example and not limitation, flexibility or rigidityof the hinge-binding system 104, that is, the range of positionsavailable between a fully open and fully closed plurality of trays, maybe achieved through any combination of rigid or flexible components.

Accordingly, a docking appendage 110 may be fabricated from a rigid orflexible material, or be hinged to a tray 102. Similarly, the bindingclip 112 may be fabricated from a rigid or flexible material, or acombination thereof, including for example a flexible link 116 and rigidreceiving dock 118. Further the connection between an appendage 110 anda corresponding receiving dock 118 may be permanent, semi-permanent, ortemporary, as provided by any number of connections including:monolithic construction, mechanical or chemical bonding, detachable orretractable means for interlocking, and interfacing materials ofcompatible coefficients of friction.

It will be seen in FIG. 4 that each docking appendage 110 includes along, thin, substantially rectangular cavity 111. The cavity 111 may bean indentation on one or both sides of the docking appendage 110, or maybe a slot that extends all the way through the docking appendage 110.The cavity 111 engages with a correspondingly positioned ridge or ridgesor like structures (not shown) within a receiving dock 118 to lock thedocking appendage 110 in a seated position in the receiving dock 118. Byadjusting the shape, dimensions, and other properties of the cavity 111and correspondingly positioned ridge element(s), it is possible toadjust how firmly a docking appendage is locked into a receiving dock118. Further, a suitable adhesive may be used in conjunction with, or inplace of, the cavity 111 and corresponding ridge element(s) to achieve aconnection of a desired strength between a docking appendage 110 and itscorresponding receiving dock 118.

FIG. 5 illustrates the binding clip 112 in a substantially planarconfiguration, corresponding to the closed configuration shown in FIG.2, while FIG. 6 illustrates the binding clip 112 in a substantiallyarched configuration, corresponding to the open configuration shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates the hinge-binding system 104 in operation. Aplurality of trays 102 has been attached to a binding clip 112 through arespective plurality of correspondingly positioned docking appendages110. In addition, FIG. 6 illustrates a nesting feature according to afurther aspect of the invention.

Before describing this nesting feature, it will be understood that thenesting feature illustrated in FIG. 6 may be applied to other types ofmedia disc packages including, for example: packages without appendages110 or docks 118; packages including a monolithic embodiment of theCCSPA 100 formed of one piece and of substantially flexible material;and packages including a monolithic members combining a tray 102 andsegment 114, formed of substantially rigid material, and connected toadjacent tray/segment members with at least one hinged link. All suchvariations are address by this aspect of the invention.

The nesting feature shown in the embodiment in FIG. 6 includes a setback 120 located on or as a part of the top surface of a tray 102, and aset back receiving edge 122 located on or as a part of the bottomsurface of a tray 102. Alternatively, either or both the set back 120 orreceiving edge 122 may be integral with a tray side wall 124.

Structurally the set back 120 is a recessed portion of the upper surfaceof a tray 102. A set back 120 may also be formed by an upwardlyextending lip, positioned within the upper perimeter of the tray 102.The set back 120 forms an offset 126 around the upper perimeter of atray 102. A receiving edge 122 is formed on the bottom surface of eachtray 102, corresponding in position to the offset 126 of an adjacenttray in the stack. The receiving edge 122 is configured to form an inset128. In practice, the set back 120 with the receiving edge 122 when thetrays 120 are stacked or arranged in the closed configuration shown inFIG. 2.

The nesting feature provides a number of advantages over those devicesthat do not include such a feature. For example, nesting providesalignment of adjacent trays both during assembly and in use. Thisalignment of the trays creates an interlocking block when the CCSPA isin the closed position, which better absorbs external forces to theCCSPA during shipping and handling. This ability to absorb externalforces better protects the discs from blunt trauma, and relieves thebinding system of both short-term and prolonged stresses. In addition,in a partially open CCSPA, the nesting feature keeps stacked trays thatare not in a fully accessible or open position, from dropping ortwisting away from adjacent trays, thereby straining the binding system.Further, the nesting feature engages and disengages adjacent trays asthe trays are fanned to open or closed positions.

FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of a media disc package incorporatingfurther aspects of a hinge-binding system 104 according to the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of binding clips of varioussegment lengths 150, 152 may be configured to provide a CCSPA 100 whichopens or closes in adjacent or opposite directions. By way of exampleand not limitation, the binding clips 150 provide for access to some ofthe media discs contained within the CCSPA 100 by permitting opening inthe direction represented by arrow A, while the binding clip 152provides for access to other media discs by permitting opening in thedirection represented by arrow B.

Likewise, binding clip 152 could be located at the side opposite thebinding clips 150. (This side of the tray stack is not visible in thisview.) This arrangement provides a CCSPA that is configured to open inthe right-to-left direction for some pairs of adjacent trays and in theleft-to-right direction for other pairs of adjacent trays. Other hingeconfigurations are contemplated and taught herein.

FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a package according to a furtheraspect of the invention, incorporating an improved media disc tray 210that is configured to hold two media discs, one of each of the upper andlower surfaces of the tray. In one embodiment of the improved tray 210,the depth of the tray is increased by increasing the height of the sidewalls to accommodate receiving cavity 212 and its associated securinghub 214 on a first side of the tray 210, together with a receivingcavity 216 and its associated securing hub 218 on an opposite side ofthe tray 210. While one embodiment may have recessed receiving cavitiesthat exactly back each other with securing hubs 214 and 218 alignedalong a common axis, another embodiment is contemplated wherein thesecuring hubs 214 and 218 are offset from each other, but share a commonplatform similar to the pan 28 of FIG. 1. It will be appreciated thatthe scope of the present invention extends to other combinations ofthese features.

A thick or heavy collection of media discs or other content may presentundesirable stresses on a CCSPA configured like a traditional book.Specifically, opening or closing such a CCSPA may generate stressesalong the spine or along one or more score lines between elements of theCCSPA that act to pull these elements apart. For example, it is possiblethat as trays 102 are fanned out into an open position, such asillustrated in FIG. 1, the trays attached directly to the inside of thecover 14 may pull or tear away from their respective mounting, or causethe spine 16 to stretch and pull away from the back panel.

FIGS. 9 and 10A-B show, respectively, perspective and side views of amedia disc package incorporating an improved cover 300 according to afurther aspect of the invention. The cover 300 comprises an upper panel310, a spine panel 314 positioned between upper and lower spine scorelines 316, and upper and lower spine extension panels 318 positionedbetween upper and lower spine score lines 316 and spine extension scoreline 320. It will be understood that although the improved cover 300 isdescribed in terms of positions and parts, the cover 300 may be formedmonolithically or constructed from a combination of parts and all suchembodiments are contemplated herein.

It is noted that the cover 300, and variations thereof, may be used topackage a single media disc tray. Thus, as used with respect todescribing a package incorporating the described cover 300, the term“stack” includes a stack comprising a single media disc tray.

When the cover 300 is in its closed configuration, the upper panel 310and the upper spine extension panel 318 are positioned on top of thestack of trays 102, the spine panel 314 is positioned on one side of thestack of trays 102, and the bottom spine extension panel 318 and thebottom cover panel 320 are positioned on the bottom of the stack oftrays 102. It should be noted that the spine panel 314 does notnecessarily correspond in position to a hinged side of the stack oftrays. The spine panel 314 may be located at any side of the stack oftrays 102, as desired.

Because only the bottom cover panel 320 is attached to the stack oftrays, when the upper cover panel 310 is opened, or when the stack oftrays 102 is fanned into an open configuration, the upper spineextension panel 318, the spine panel 314 and the lower spine extensionpanel 318 tend to pull away from the stack of trays 102. The score lines316 and 320 function as hinges. Thus, it will be seen that when thecover panel 310 is opened, the remaining panels will assume respectivepositions tending to diffuse mechanical stresses at the score lines 316and 320, thereby tending to prevent tearing or separation of the packagecomponents.

As further shown in FIGS. 9 and 10A-B, according to a further aspect ofthe invention, an inner panel 322 is attached to the upper panel 310 andconfigured to extend under the upper spine extension panel 318. Becausethe inner panel 322 is not connected to the spine 314 or spine extensionpanel 318, but cantilevers over these panels, any graphic display orprinted material presented to the user on the outwardly facing side ofthe inner panel 322 remains readily visible. When the package is opened,the upper spine extension panel 318 pulls away from the inner panel 322.Thus, although the spine extension panel 318 is flexible and configuredto arch independently of the inner panel 322, the inner panel 322remains in the same plane whether the CCSPA is opened or closed.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show side views of an alternative version of the mediapackage shown in FIGS. 9 and 10A-B. In this alternative version, themedia package has a cover 400 with a single spine extension panel 418underneath the stack of trays 102, and does not have an inner panel.Again, the stack of trays 102 may comprise a single tray.

According to this aspect of the invention, the cover is formed form asingle sheet of cardboard, paperboard, or other suitable material. Thecover's spine panel 414 is defined by an upper and lower spine scores416 and 417. The single spine extension panel 418 is defined by lowerspine score 417 and spine extension score 419. It will be appreciatedthat the elements of the alternative versions of the media package shownin FIGS. 9, 10A-B, and 11A-B, may be combined with each other and withfurther elements without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, it would be possible to incorporate these elements into apackage including one or more cover panels that wrap around one or moresides of the tray stack 102, or that wrap around a side of the traystack 102 not corresponding to the hinged side of the tray stack.

Although the Content Collection, Storage and Presentation Apparatus(CCSPA) taught herein has been described with reference to a media discholding tray 102 and 210, the present invention is not limited to thatspecific content. In fact, the above-described features, including thehinge-binding system, nesting, and external spine cover, may be used inconjunction with a variety of content storage devices including printedpages, audio and/or visual tapes, digital information storage devices,and similar vehicles for content storage. For example, a plurality oftrays each configured to secure and hold a different type of content,such as a book, a CD, a DVD, a VCR cassette, machine readable memorystorage, and a portable electronic device capable of storing and/orplaying content, may be bound together in a CCSPA comprising some or allof the features presented herein.

While the foregoing description includes details which will enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be recognizedthat the description is illustrative in nature and that manymodifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilledin the art having the benefit of these teachings. It is accordinglyintended that the invention herein be defined solely by the claimsappended hereto and that the claims be interpreted as broadly aspermitted by the prior art.

1. A package for holding a plurality of media discs, comprising: aplurality of disc holding trays arranged in a stack, each tray in thestack having at least one hinging edge, each hinging edge having atleast one docking appendage extending therefrom; and a binding clipincluding a plurality of segments that are connected to each other byflexible links, each segment including at least one dock therein forreceiving a docking appendage, adjacent trays in the stack being hingedtogether by seating one or more respective docking appendages of eachadjacent tray into a correspondingly positioned dock in the bindingclip.
 2. The package of claim 1, wherein each tray in the stack includesan upper surface having a set back and a lower surface having areceiving edge, such that each tray in the stack nests into an adjacenttray.
 3. The package of claim 1, wherein at least one pair of adjacenttrays in the stack is hinged at a first side of the stack of trays, andanother pair of adjacent trays in the stack is hinged at a second sideof the stack of trays.
 4. The package of claim 1, wherein each dockingappendage includes a central cavity, and wherein each corresponding dockincludes a ridge therein that seats in the central cavity, therebylocking the docking appendage in the dock.
 5. A method for packaging aplurality of media discs, comprising: providing a plurality of discholding trays, each tray in the stack having at least one hinging edge,each hinging edge having at least one docking appendage extendingtherefrom; arranging the plurality of trays into a stack; providing atleast one binding clip including a plurality of segments, each segmentincluding at least one dock therein for receiving a docking appendage,hinging adjacent trays in the stack to each other by seating one or morerespective docking appendages of each adjacent tray into acorrespondingly positioned dock in a binding clip.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the step of providing a plurality of disc holding traysincludes providing a plurality of rigid disc holding trays, each trayincluding an upper surface having a set back and a lower surface havinga receiving edge, such that each tray in the stack nests into anadjacent tray.
 7. The method of claim 5, further including: hingingtogether a first adjacent pair of trays at a first side of the stack,and hinging together a second adjacent pair of trays at a second side ofthe stack.
 8. The method of claim 5, further including: providing eachdocking appendage includes a cavity therein; providing eachcorresponding dock with a corresponding ridge; locking a dockingappendage into a corresponding dock by causing the ridge at the dock toseat into the cavity in the docking appendage.
 9. A media disc traypackage, comprising: a stack of media disc trays; an upper panel; aspine panel hinged to the top panel by a first spine score; a bottomspine extension panel, hinged to the spine panel by a second spinescore; a bottom panel, hinged to the bottom spine extension portion by aspine extension score, the bottom panel being attached to a bottomsurface of the stack of media trays, the panels wrapping around thestack of trays when the stack of trays is in a closed position, with theupper panel positioned on an upper surface of the stack of trays, thespine panel positioned on a side of the stack of trays, and the bottomspine extension panel and bottom panel being positioned on a bottomsurface of the stack of trays, whereby when the package is opened, thebottom spine extension panel and spine panel pull away from the stack oftrays.
 10. The package of claim 9, further including: an upper spineextension panel between the upper panel and the spine panel, the upperspine extension panel being hinged to the upper panel and spine panel byrespective score lines, the upper panel and upper spine extension panelbeing positioned on an upper surface of the stack of trays when thestack of trays is in a closed position, the upper spine extension panelpulling away from the stack of trays when the package is opened.
 11. Thepackage of claim 10, further including: an inner panel attached to aninner surface of the upper panel, the inner panel extending under theupper spine extension panel, whereby when the package is opened, theupper spine extension panel pulls away from the inner panel.